Uncashed check, death of participant

[R. Butler]

Participant requests hardship. Check is issued, participant dies 3 weeks later. Mail was slow or something & the check was received on the date of death and not cashed.

Does that check get returned to the account or can it be reissued to his estate using a constructive receipt argument? The beneys under his estate are likely different than those under the 401(k) so this is a nightmare situation for the plan sponsor.

Thanks in advance for any guidance.

[QDROphile]

The estate will handle the check just like any other property of the deceased that is not subject to any other arrangement. The representative can negotiate the check.